Removable Skin Protection Apparatus

ABSTRACT

A removable skin protection apparatus to provide a layer of protection between a caregiver&#39;s arm and a baby&#39;s head. A removable skin protection apparatus 1 is worn on the arm of a caregiver. The purpose of the present invention is to eliminate the issues of contact dermatitis to an infant&#39;s sensitive head, through skin to skin contact with caregiver and or clothes worn by caregiver. It can be easily fastened to user&#39;s bare arm or arm while clothed with a long sleeve or jacket, from the bicep down, across the crook of the arm to the forearm acting as a barrier between the baby&#39;s head and the caregiver&#39;s arm while the baby is being held.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 61/854/781, filed May 2, 2013, hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of infant care devices, in particular, a removable skin protection apparatus to provide a layer of protection between a caregiver's arm and a baby's head.

BACKGROUND

When an infant is held, the infant's head is often placed in the crook of the bent elbow of one arm. When the infant's head is not protected or covered it becomes susceptible to the irritants that can cause contact dermatitis. These irritants are the result of contact with the care giver's bare arm or clothes.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

An object of the present invention is a removable skin protection apparatus comprising a substantially H-shaped fabric assembly having a first surface and a second surface, the substantially H-shaped fabric assembly measuring in the range of 10″ to 20″ long and 8″ to 16″ wide; a first attachment area coupled to an upper portion of the first surface of the substantially H-shaped fabric assembly, the first attachment area being comprised of a hook or loop fastener; and, a second attachment area coupled to a lower portion of the second surface of the substantially H-shaped fabric assembly such that the first attachment area and the second attachment area are opposite each other, the second attachment area being comprised of a hook or loop fastener, the second attachment area having an area approximately 50% larger than the first attachment area.

Another object of the present invention is a method of preventing contact dermatitis between a caregiver and an infant comprising removing a skin protection apparatus from a sterile wrapped packaging; attaching the skin protection apparatus to a caregiver's arm at the elbow, the skin protection apparatus extending approximately half way up the caregiver's bicep, and extending approximately half way down the caregiver's forearm; and, providing a separation between the caregiver's arm and an infant's head from the removable skin protection apparatus.

Yet another object of the present invention is method of preventing contact dermatitis between a caregiver and an infant comprising providing a separation between a caregiver's arm and an infant's head; and, attaching a protection apparatus to the caregiver's arm in the location of the infant's head, the protection apparatus comprising a substantially H-shaped fabric assembly having a first surface and a second surface, the substantially H-shaped fabric assembly measuring in the range of 10″ to 20″ long and 8″ to 16″ wide; a first attachment area coupled to an upper portion of the first surface of the substantially H-shaped fabric assembly, the first attachment area being comprised of a hook or loop fastener; and, a second attachment area coupled to a lower portion of the second surface of the substantially H-shaped fabric assembly such that the first attachment area and the second attachment area are opposite each other, the second attachment area being comprised of a hook or loop fastener. The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the more pertinent and important features of the present invention so that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood and so that the present contribution to the art can be more fully appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the disclosed specific methods and structures may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the removable skin protection apparatus worn by a caregiver while in use;

FIG. 2 is a full embodiment of the removable skin protection apparatus around the arm from the outside of the arm;

FIG. 3 is a full embodiment of the removable skin protection apparatus around the arm from the inside of the arm;

FIG. 4 is an open view of the top, or outside, of the removable skin protection apparatus that shows the side with which the baby's head will come in contact;

FIG. 5 is an open view of the inside of the removable skin protection apparatus that will be against, or touching, the caregiver's arm;

FIG. 6 is a blown up view of a first attachment area;

FIG. 7 is a blown up view of a second attachment area;

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the removable skin protection apparatus; and,

FIG. 9 shows an end elevation view of the removable skin protection apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The basis of the removable skin protection apparatus is to isolate the baby's head from contact with the wearer's skin and or clothes. The removable skin protection apparatus eliminates contact dermatitis caused by bacteria, sweat, oil, dirt, or skin condition from direct contact with the care giver's bare arm. The removable skin protection apparatus also eliminates contact dermatitis caused by contact with clothing that may be soiled, or washed in a detergent that is not sensitive to a baby's skin.

The functionality of the removable skin protection apparatus allows it to move in unison with the arm without causing any discomfort and usability of the caregivers arm. An opening at the elbow allows the elbow to bend without discomfort to the caregiver and cause no wearing of the fabric. The hook and loop straps are covered with fabric to keep the baby from having any contact with the hook and loop. The securing area is made up of a soft material that poses no issues to the infant from contact. These hook and loop and securing surface areas are at lengths to allow for small diameter up to large diameter arm sizes. The removable skin protection apparatus can be worn on either the left or right arm. The removable skin protection apparatus is machine washable.

An embodiment of the present invention for the removable skin protection apparatus is illustrated in FIG. 1. The removable skin protection apparatus 1 is worn on the arm of a caregiver. The general purpose of the present invention is to eliminate the issues of contact dermatitis to an infant's sensitive head, through skin to skin contact with caregiver and or clothes worn by caregiver. It can be easily fastened to user's bare arm or arm while clothed with a long sleeve or jacket, from the bicep down, across the crook of the arm to the forearm acting as a barrier between the baby's head and the caregiver's arm while the baby is being held. Alterative views of removable skin protection apparatus 1 in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show apparatus 1 attached to caregiver's arm from different perspectives.

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 illustrate a front view and a back view of removable skin protection apparatus 1 in a disengaged configuration. Removable skin protection apparatus 1 should be wide enough as to cover approximately half the caregiver's bicep and down the forearm half way to the wrist. The fabric assembly 2 from tip to tip and side to side, should be in the range of 10″ to 20″ long, by approximately 8″ to 16″ wide. Fabric assembly 2 should be made of a substantially thin, soft, stretchable, and durable material. In an embodiment, removable skin protection apparatus 1 is packed in a sterile wrap packaging for hospital use, and fabric assembly 2 is comprised of any commercially reasonable hospital-grade material, such as 100% cotton. A first attachment area 4 should be selectively engaged with a second attachment area 5. In an embodiment, first attachment area 4 and second attachment area 5 are hook and loop fasteners with matable hook and loop surfaces to enable selective engagement between first attachment area 4 and second attachment area 5. Removable skin protection apparatus 1 should wrap around the arm such that first attachment area 4 and second attachment area 5 are removably engaged. Removable skin protection apparatus 1 should be substantially H-shaped, such that when engaged an opening at the elbow is defined to allow for bending of the caregiver's arm.

Fabric assembly 2 may be a single layer of soft fabric suitable for contact with an infant's skin. Suitable materials are well known in the art and need not be discussed at length here; for example, a cotton blend. Fabric assembly 2 may be stretchable, allowing for use not only to cover the arm but the ability to cover clothing. Fabric assembly 2 should be breathable to promote comfort for baby and caregiver.

FIG. 6. is a blown up view of first attachment area 4. First attachment area 4 may be a hook or loop patch sewn onto fabric assembly 2. First attachment area 4 should be oblong in shape to allow for adjustment of arm size. FIG. 7 is a blown up view of second attachment area 5. Second attachment area 5 may be a hook or loop patch sewn onto fabric assembly 2. If first attachment area 4 is a hook, then second attachment area 5 should be a loop; and vice versa. Second attachment area 5 should be a larger size as compared to first attachment area 4. In an embodiment, second attachment area 5 is approximately 30% to 100% larger than first attachment area 4. This is to allow for adjustment of arm size. Removable skin protection apparatus 1 can be worn on either the right or left arm.

FIG. 8 shows an elevation view of removable skin protection apparatus 1. Removable skin protection apparatus 1 can be attached to the arm of a certain caregiver and then be removed from the arm with first attachment area 4 and second attachment area 5 remaining engaged. Removable skin protection apparatus 1 can be pulled on and off the caregiver's arm per the caregiver's needs. This adds convenience to the certain caregiver not having to strap and unstrap the removable skin protection apparatus 1 for each use.

In FIG. 9, removable skin protection apparatus 1 is shown from a side elevation view. first attachment area 4 and second attachment area 5 are selectively engaged. As shown through this elevation, first attachment area 4 and second attachment area 5 enables adjustability of removable skin protection apparatus 1. This allows the removable skin protection apparatus 1 to have a larger diameter as needed.

The present disclosure includes that contained in the appended claims as well as that of the foregoing description. Although this invention has been described in its exemplary forms with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of has been made only by way of example and numerous changes in the details of construction and combination and arrangement of parts may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A removable skin protection apparatus comprising: a substantially H-shaped fabric assembly having a first surface and a second surface, the substantially H-shaped fabric assembly measuring in the range of 10″ to 20″ long and 8″ to 16″ wide; a first attachment area coupled to an upper portion of the first surface of the substantially H-shaped fabric assembly, the first attachment area being comprised of a hook or loop fastener; and, a second attachment area coupled to a lower portion of the second surface of the substantially H-shaped fabric assembly such that the first attachment area and the second attachment area are opposite each other, the second attachment area being comprised of a hook or loop fastener, the second attachment area having an area approximately 50% larger than the first attachment area.
 2. A method of preventing contact dermatitis between a caregiver and an infant comprising: removing a skin protection apparatus from a sterile wrapped packaging; attaching the skin protection apparatus to a caregiver's arm at the elbow, the skin protection apparatus extending approximately half way up the caregiver's bicep, and extending approximately half way down the caregiver's forearm; and, providing a separation between the caregiver's arm and an infant's head from the removable skin protection apparatus.
 3. A method of preventing contact dermatitis between a caregiver and an infant comprising: providing a separation between a caregiver's arm and an infant's head; and, attaching a protection apparatus to the caregiver's arm in the location of the infant's head, the protection apparatus comprising: a substantially H-shaped fabric assembly having a first surface and a second surface, the substantially H-shaped fabric assembly measuring in the range of 10″ to 20″ long and 8″ to 16″ wide; a first attachment area coupled to an upper portion of the first surface of the substantially H-shaped fabric assembly, the first attachment area being comprised of a hook or loop fastener; and, a second attachment area coupled to a lower portion of the second surface of the substantially H-shaped fabric assembly such that the first attachment area and the second attachment area are opposite each other, the second attachment area being comprised of a hook or loop fastener, the second attachment area having an area approximately 50% larger than the first attachment area. 